AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-202
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*** 2008 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting ***
*** October 24-26 in Atlanta, Georgia ***
*********New Forms Online to register for this event**********
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ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North
America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the
activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an
active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating
through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org
In this edition:
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
* Informational Changes
* Executive Board Meeting
* The UK Space Colloquium will be Webcast
* ARISS Status - 14 July 2008
* NEW OSCAR Satellite Identities Issued
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-202.01
Satellite Shorts From All Over
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 202.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
July 20, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-202.01
+ NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft has created a video of the moon
transiting (passing in front of) Earth as seen from the space-
craft's point of view 31 million miles (50 million kilometers
away.
Quick Time version is available at:
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/epoxi_transit.html
YouTube version is available at:
http://www.universetoday.com/2008/07/17/an-alien-view-of-the-moon-transiting
-earth/
+ On-line video from the Dayton 2008 SDR Forum can be found at:
http://www.hamsdr.com/dnld.aspx. Scroll down the list to the
links labeled "Dayton_2008_Video".
+If you like some ideas about what Satellites were like in the past,
here is a link to a great puplication. I remember always having it
around my shack to show people about various types and operating of
satellites.
http://www.amsat-dl.org/pic/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=7527
+Full programme at the AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium
AMSAT-UK will be holding their 23rd International Space Colloquium at
the University of Surrey, Guildford, from Friday 25th until Sunday 27th
July. On Friday, in addition to the main lecture programme there will be
a special Beginners Workshop to show newcomers how to use the many
amateur satellites that are available. RSGB Amateur Radio Manager Carlos
Eavis G0AKI will be giving a presentation about the plans for a brand
new GB4FUN Radio Communications demonstration vehicle on Saturday 26th
July. On Sunday morning, the IARU Satellite Adviser Hans, ZS6AKV, will
chair the IARU Satellite Forum, which will be attended by the RSGB
Microwave Manager Murray Niman, G6JYB. He will be available for
questions on the papers relating to amateur satellite operation being
presented by the RSGB to the IARU Region 1 conference at Cavtat in
November. The event is open to all Radio Amateurs and SWL's. It is
planned to broadcast some of the proceedings live via the internet at
www.batc.tv [Thanks Ian, G3ZHI]
[ANS thanks everyone for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-202.02
Informational Changes
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 202.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
July 20, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-202.02
In the past weeks AMSAT's engineering department has experienced some
difficult times. At the present time Rick Hambly, W2GPS is acting VP
Engineering. In that role he will be the team leader of all active teams
and he will be the arbiter of the guidance provided to engineering by
the Board.
Rick wants to thank Bob McGwier N4HY for his service as VP Engineering.
He single handedly revitalized the department and brought on many new
high quality volunteers to work on AMSAT new vision. He has also been
the genesis of new concepts like the use of software defined radio
concepts as the basis for our new high performance linear transponder
design (SDX) and for the implementation of a better HELAPS transmitter
design using modern digital techniques to control its linearity.
Fortunately Bob is staying actively involved in AMSAT and in our
engineering efforts. He will be a key asset as we continue our march
toward achieving AMSAT Mission and Vision.
Rick has also created an advisory committee to work on a new Engineering
organization proposal. It is expected that this group will act quickly
to provide an operational proposal for the next VP of Engineering to use
in moving the engineering group toward meeting the goals of that group
set a number of years ago.
[ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-202.03
Executive Board Meeting
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 202.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
July 20, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-202.03
An AMSAT executive meeting is planned for board members and senior
officers in mid August to discuss the current status and future
direction of AMSAT. The outcomes and expected results will be presented
to the membership at the AMSAT Symposium in Atlanta, Oct 24-26.
[ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-202.04
The UK Space Colloquium will be Webcast
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 202.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
July 20, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-202.04
Thanks to the British Amateur Television Club (BATC) this years AMSAT-UK
International Space Colloquium will be streamed live on the web.
Peter Blakeborough G3PYB, President of BATC, will be streaming video of
the event live to the Internet so that Radio Amateurs and SWL’s can
watch it from anywhere in the world. This service will be available at
http://www.batc.tv/
As well as live video BATC will also be providing a Live Chat web page
enabling viewers to post messages.
The 23rd AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held at the
University of Surrey, Guildford, England from Friday 25th until Sunday
27th July.
The Colloquium is open to all Radio Amateurs and SWL's. Either day
passes or full packages comprising overnight accommodation and meals are
available. An online booking service is available with PayPal, Visa and
Master Card payments accepted.
For further details see http://www.uk.amsat.org/Colloquium/
A site map showing location of the Management Building and the adjacent
main car park and conference visitors parking can be seen at
http://www.uk.amsat.org/images/stories/uosmap6.jpg
Travel information: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/23/52/
AMSAT-UK Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959
Email: g3wgm at amsat.org
Related URL’s
British Amateur Television Club (BATC)
http://www.batc.org.uk/
BATC Video website
http://www.batc.tv/
[ANS thanks Trevor, M5AKA, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-202.05
ARISS Status - 14 July 2008
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 202.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
July 14, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-202.05
ARISS Status Report for the week of July 14, 2008
1. Upcoming School Contacts
An ARISS contact was held with the Department of Astronomy & Space
Sciences (DASS) at the Kuwait Science Club in Safat, Kuwait on
Monday, July 14 at 17:05 UTC. Telebridge station WH6PN in Hawaii
assisted with the contact. DASS aims to spread scientific awareness
in the fields of astronomy and space sciences by actively engaging
the public in exploring the cosmos. This educational activity will
educate young people about space stations, satellites and ham radio.
A national competition will be announced through Ministry of Education
for all schools in Kuwait. The competition will encourage students to
do research in space science. Four students will be selected from 3
levels (elementary, middle, high school) to ask questions of the
astronaut. Extensive media coverage is expected from at least 3
television stations, several newspapers, magazines and radio stations.
European Space Camp 2008 will be held at the Zanka Children and Youth
Centre in Zanka, Hungary for the children of ESA employees. The camp
has been scheduled for an ARISS contact on Thursday, July 24. The
Hungarian Astronautical Society (HAS) is organizing the event. The Radio
Club of the Puskas Polytechnic (HA5KHC) will provide equipment and
support the contact.
2. Canadian Campers Participate in Successful ARISS Contact
On Wednesday, July 9, youth attending the National Agriculture Museum
in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada participated in an ARISScontact via
telebridge station W6SRJ in Santa Rosa, California. Greg Chamitoff,
KD5PKZ, answered 14 questions posed to him by 12 campers as an audience
of approximately 120 watched. One television station, 2 radio stations,
and one member of the press covered the event. The museum reported on
the contact using its Web site. Radio station CFRA, which is the most
listened to news radio station in Eastern Ontario, played the audio and
interview throughout the day.
3. ARRL Article on ARISS Activities
On Tuesday, July 8, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran an
article on ARISS contacts which are taking place during the month of
July. See: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/07/08/10202/?nc=1
The story is also available on The ARRL Letter:
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/08/0711/
4. ARISS Face to Face Meeting
The ARISSteam is meeting in Moscow this week for its annual face to
face meeting. The conference will be held July 17-18 and will be
preceded by an Amateur Radio Working Group (ARWG) meeting July 14-16.
[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-202.06
NEW OSCAR Satellite Identities Issued
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 202.06
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
July 20, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-202.06
Satellite CUTE-1.7 + APD II has been issued the OSCAR Number CO-65.
This was at the request of Tokyo Institute of Technology.
lss.mes.titech.ac.jp/ssp/cute1.7/index_e.html
Satellite SEEDS II Has been issued the OSCAR number CO-66.
This was requested by Nihon University.
(http://sat.aero.cst.nihon-u.ac.jp)
[ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, for the above information]
/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors
to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits.
Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Dee Interdonato
nb2f at amsat dot org